Body-Worn Videos Risk Assessment

This risk assessment outlines the risks associated with the use of body-worn videos (BWV) by employees of Northampton Borough Council. Such staff to include, but not limited to, Neighbourhood Wardens and Park Rangers. While every care has been taken to consider all possible risks, this list is not exhaustive and individual users should consider the possibility of additional risk factors and take appropriate action to manage the identified risk. It is recommended that this list of considerations be combined with operational risk assessments for general patrols or where BWV is being deployed.

General issues:

Capture of personal data – BWV may inadvertently capture data that is not specific to an incident - low

The field of camera vision is relatively small. Officers should ensure that the camera is correctly positioned and this will limit peripheral capture of visual data.

Capture of sound incidental recordings – BWV may inadvertently capture sound recordings that are not specific to an incident – medium

The quality of sound recording, against general outdoor noise, limits most audible recordings. It is possible that dialogue may be inadvertently captured. To limit sound recordings that are not specific to an incident, BWV wearers must remain mindful to the recording device at all times when the device is activated. Officers should not therefore engage in telephone conversations while wearing BMW. Contact between officers in different locations should be limited to radio usage where such equipment is provided. Personal telephone calls should not be made or accepted when the device is activated and should be limited to rest periods.

Hazard-specific risk level and control measures:

Injury - Wearing the unit on the chest can cause injury through repetitive strain - Low

The camera unit is lightweight and must be worn in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Users should remove the camera from their chest when not on patrol. **Injury** - Electric shock from equipment if damaged - **Low**

Equipment to be inspected prior to deployment, any faults to be reported to a supervisor and equipment not to be used if damaged. If damage occurs during deployment, stop using the unit and return to station.

**Injury** - Entanglement with camera lead - **Low**

Ensure that leads are appropriately secured prior to use; where possible, keep leads under outer clothing or Hi-Visability vests. Ensure that equipment cabling is ‘curled’ (like a telephone cable) by the manufacturer to contain the excess cabling in the neck area. Provide suitable physical break point in cable.

**Injury** - Camera becomes warm during use - **Low**

Heat from the camera is considered to be low; if the unit does become hot, the user should remove it and allow it to cool or return it to store.

**Radio interference** - Interference between a BWV unit and radio if worn in close proximity, causing temporary radio failure - **Low**

Ensure that BWV and radio are worn on different sides of body.

**Assault** - Strangulation of the user with the lead by an offender - **Medium**

Leads to be routed beneath outer clothing or Hi-visability vests to ensure that a member of the public cannot easily seize them. Appropriate safety techniques to be utilised to avoid close physical contact with other persons. Suitable physical break point in cable top be provided.

**Assault** - Wearer becomes target for assault through overt use of video camera - **Low**

Avoid confrontation unless necessary. Non-BWV users also present to be aware that the body-worn video user may be targeted and to assist where necessary.

**Assault** - Chest injury through impact of the camera by an assailant when worn against the chest - **Medium**

Utilise appropriate safety techniques to avoid close physical contact with other persons.

**Sharing units** between multiple users may lead to the transfer of infectious agents or bodily fluid through skin transfer - **Low** Ensure that suitable wipes are available for wardens/rangers to disinfect each unit before and after use.